I know what you’re thinking: “This has to be the hardest task facing a race promoter.” Yes, you’re right. But it doesn’t have to be. Just invest in a little creative thinking, and you’ll find that getting lucrative sponsors is not that hard.

Frederic Belaubre won the 2008 European Triathlon Championships and thus earned his 3rd European title in 4 years. Vanessa Fernandes was victorious in the women’s race and now has won a record 5 titles, and that is not even counting her U23 and Junior crowns.

Mike Neill won the 2008 edition of the Gulfcoast Triathlon in Panama City Beach, Florida and narrowly defeated Zach Ruble. The women’s pro title was snagged by Gabriela Loskatova, but the fastest time of the day belonged to age grouper Amy Kloner from Atlanta, Ga.

To escape the wet and cold Northern European spring, many European athletes head to the island of Mallorca to get ready for the upcoming season. German pro triathlete Uwe Widmann recently came back from such a training camp and he reports for Slowtwitch.

The Los Angeles Triathlon has known one RD since its inception. But a group of Angelenos and triathlon’s national federation have teamed up, and are hoping for a change.

In part three of this series, Colin gives us some insight into the preparation and training behind his efforts to qualify for the 2008 Canadian Olympic Team.

Blue Bicycles’ Ryan Barnett was hit by a truck and landscape trailer while warming up for the Roswell Criterium on Saturday and sustained serious injuries. Ryan works for Blue Bicycles as their marketing manager.

Road testing the 3T Ventus aero bar properly required a bit of trigonometry, a dash of ingenuity, and smidge of creativity, some nerve, and a credit card with room on it.

Craig Alexander won the 2008 St Croix Ironman 70.3 triathlon thanks in part to his fantastic 1:15:58 run time. Just like Alexander, Mirinda Carfrae utilized a superb run to take the women’s title.

Current ITU World champion Daniel Unger won the 2008 ITU Richard’s Bay World up in South Africa by out-sprinting Matty Reed. Carolyn Murray captured the women’s race and with it her first World Cup win.

Macca bided his time on the bike and matched Eneko Llanos on the run to take the title by just 19 seconds. Sam McGlone stretched out Leanda Cave to win in an impressive 4:31:38.

Where do you go to find a good bike retailer in your area? With F.I.S.T.-cerfitifed retailers and Barnett-schooled mechanics? That carry your preferred bike or wetsuit brand? Now you can find out.

Davis Tarwater is the 2005 and 2007 US Champion in the 200m Butterfly and he also won that event at the 2007 Duel in the Pool. He is currently preparing for the US Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska and shared a few of his thoughts with Slowtwitch.

Now it’s not simply what races take place where, when and across what distances. It’s what races have enough Port-o-Johns!

We are starting a new interview series featuring industry people who are doing what they are preaching. Our first subject of “industry athlete” is Kevin O’Connor, the owner of Gear West Bike & Tri. He has been as fast as 9:13 in Kona and just recently finished in 9:35.

Matty Reed was victorious at the 2008 St. Anthony’s triathlon and had the fastest bike split of the day. Sarah Haskins convincingly won the women’s event and showed that she is a force to be reckoned with come Hy-Vee.

Current World Cup leader Tim Don (GBR) won the 2008 Tongyeong BG Triathlon World Cup in Korea with a blazing fast run. Veteran Samantha Warriner (NZL) had to outduel rookie Hollie Avil (GBR) for the crown in the women’s race.

Sarah Haskins narrowly missed taking the automatic qualification spot at the 2008 US Olympic Trials in Tuscaloosa, AL, but put herself in a good position to be considered for the final slot. She talked to Slowtwitch about racing and training.

Dave Martin, a 66-year old retired Solana Beach veterinarian and member of the San Diego Triathlon Club, was killed today during a rare shark attack while swimming off the coast of Solana Beach.

Jay Prasuhn has established a reputation for competence, fairness and for being exceptionally well-informed. He’s one of triathlon’s wordsmiths and as our new Senior Editor we’re glad to report he’ll be smithing his words here.

Campagnolo projects a kinder, gentler image for its U.S. operations, through hiring Tom Kattus to run its North American office. Kattus has a multisport background, so, could this mean more Chorus and Record in the transition area?

Kirsten Sweetland won the 2006 Triathlon Junior World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland and continued to impress during her 2007 rookie pro ITU season. We wanted to know more about this 19 year old from Nanaimo, British Columbia.

Earlier this year Michael Klueh was part of the Longhorn 800m relay team that set a new American record in 6:10.55, breaking the previous mark of 6:14.14 set by Club Wolverine. Later this summer he’ll try to qualify for the Olympics in the the 200, 400 and 1500m freestyle.

Despite temperatures in the high 90s and 94% humidity, Olaf Sabatschus won the inaugural Ironman China with a very impressive running performance. Belinda Granger looked smooth throughout the women’s race and took the title with an almost 30 minute cushion.